The Role of Point of Care Ultrasounds (POCUS) in the Setting of In-Hospital Pulseless Electrical Activity Cardiac Arrest

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly utilized during cardiac arrest to identify potentially reversible causes of Pulseless-Electrical Activity (PEA). This study analyzed 20 cases where PEA was the initial rhythm, utilizing curved prove through the subxiphoid view to minimize interruptions during chest compressions. In 20 cases, POCUS findings were negative for reversible causes including cardiac temponade, tension pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism or cardiac thrombus. All patients received standard Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) interventions. Despite these measures, all 20 patients succumbed and the decision to terminate resuscitation was based on clinical judgments rather than POCUS findings of cardiac contractility. These results highlight the limited impact of POCUS findings on resuscitation outcomes in this cohort and emphasize the need for further research into its role in guiding clinical decision-making during cardiac arrest.